# NTSB ATL82FA087: Piper PA-28-140, N2490T, Westminster, MD, March 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1982, 14:13 local (19:13 UTC)
- Place: Westminster, MD
- Coordinates: 39.569747, -77.000007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5697&lon=-77.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA087

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A 2930 FT RUNWAY WITH FOUR OCCUPANTS ON BOARD. THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT WAS NOT KNOWN, BUT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 2334 LBS DURING TAKEOFF. THERE WAS A LIGHT WIND FROM THE WEST AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 42 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. WITNESSES WHO OBSERVED THE TAKEOFF ROLL STATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL, BUT THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE UNTIL 2200 TO 2700 FT DOWN THE RUNWAY. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED NO HIGHER THAN 100 TO 150 FT AGL, THEN DISAPPEARED FROM THEIR VIEW ABOUT A MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. A PILOT THAT WAS LANDING IN ANOTHER PLANE OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TURN LEFT ABOUT 80 DEGREES DURING A LOW AND SLOW DEPARTURE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND LEFT OF ITS CENTERLINE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. RELATIVES AND ACQUAINTANCES OF THE PILOT COULD NOT RECALL THE PILOT PREVIOUSLY OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT WITH FOUR ADULTS ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2490T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2490T-2011-09-12), registration cancelled 2011-09-12, S/N 28-7225077, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225077
- Airframe hours: 1961
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis L Fenwick
- Registered owner: Francis L Fenwick
- Departed: WESTMINSTER, MD
- Destination: GAITHERSBURG, MD
- Airport: W-54, Carroll County, runway 34, 2,930 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 98 total, 25 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 108 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820328026759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820328026759A), Mar 28, 1982: Piper PA28140, Westminster, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed during takeoff. Investigation revealed aircraft over gross takeoff weight.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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